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Design & Lifestyle Insights of a Yankee Designer Living in the South

Wes Anderson

For twenty two years, I have never let a particular director of a movie influence my decision on wether I see a movie or not. Then I started dating a man who went to movies based on the director and if he has heard of him or not. I thought this was complete and utter rubbish. I go to movies based on the trailer and the actors. Who cares about the director? Then I went with my boyfriend, Alex, to a little film called Moonrise Kingdom.

Not only was the typography done by my favorite typographer Jessica Hische but it had a large, well known cast of my favorite actors and actresses. I immediately fell in love with Susie and Sam and their love story. But how can you not fall for Edward Norton & Jason Schwartzman as boyscouts or in this movie called, Khaki Scouts. Yes please, they are down right adorable! Don't even get me started on Bill Murray as the disgruntled father figure. After leaving the theatre I gushed to Alex about how much I loved this movie. He suggest we watch another Wes Anderson film called Fantastic Mr. Fox.

I was always skeptical towards this movie because it was described to me as "talking foxes" which I immediately shut down that idea. Boy was I wrong. This, like Moonrise Kingdom, has made it to my list of favorite movies. George Clooney as Mr. Fox. Enough said.

After moving to Atlanta, Alex and I discovered a small video store in our neighborhood which has an amazing collection of movies, including every Wes Anderson movie. So we took it upon ourselves to watch every one. Now, I wasn't a fan of every one, however The Royal Tenenbaums was a home run in my book.

But I am writing today to share with you my favorite Wes Anderson movie of all time. (At least until he comes out with another that out does it). The Grand Budapest Hotel.

Being about to get pumped up for this movie since I am a raging Wes Anderson fan now, I did extensive research on the movie before its premiere. The movie is about the adventures of Gustave H, a legendary concierge at a famous European hotel between the wars, and Zero Moustafa, the lobby boy who becomes his most trusted friend. I suggest everyone go see it. And from a design perspective, I read multiple interviews of the lead designer, Annie Atkins, who created everything from the custom typeface down to the papers on the table and the type on the cologne bottle.

If you are familiar with Wes Anderson movies, you know that a good portion of them have a common theme of books/stories. Some of them start like the image above, with someone opening the story, which is the movie. There are multiple themes that Wes Anderson repeats throughout the majority of his films. Some of which are:

This article about 10 Signs You're Watching a Wes Anderson Movie also highlights other themes, which are spot on. Anyways, now for inspiring photos of props from the Grand Budapest Hotel. Thank you Annie for designing such inspiring objects for such a talented director.

And thank you to whoever designed all of the iconic pieces from the movie in a flat graphic style, they rock my socks!